1. Postwar America 16.2 The Affluent Society (Appleby 572-579)

2. Today’s Agenda Finish 16.1 slide show on your own Chapter 15 Slide Show Presentations Homework –Read 15.1

3. Using the pictures & the following clips, write 5 words to describe the American Dream in the 1950s.

6. Suburbs Conformity Family/Child- Centered Prosperous Consumer Society (Cars & Televisions) White- Collar Jobs Baby Boom

8. GI Bill Presentation

9. What was the GI Bill of Rights and how did it help returning veterans? Law which allowed servicemen to attend college with government assistance ($) –Over 8 million attended Whole families boarded in “Veteran Villages” off Subsidized rents Gave vets & families a sense of community Dance halls, big band shows, bowling Injected America with a highly trained & educated workforce

10. What are some of the economic indicators of growth during the post WWII years. Car owners –2 million in 1946 –8 million in 1955 TVs –1 million in 1948 –7.5 million in 1950 GNP –$100,000,000,000 in 1940 –$300,000,000,000 in 1950 US made up 6% of world population and produced half the world’s goods!

11. How were wages affected during the 1950s? Factory Workers –$3,300 in 1950 –$5,300 in 1960 Real Income = –Income adjusted for inflation (rise in prices) –rose 20%! Americans had more discretionary income –Money to buy creature comforts (not just necessities)

12. Consumer Society

13. How did advertising change in the 1950s? Created new needs and desires through hidden messages –Facial cream= beauty –Freezer= plenty –car= status symbol –mouthwash= popularity Used the television to shape Americans minds and make them status conscious

15. Describe Corporate America in the 1950s. Encouraged conformity White collar-workers (office) were told: –How to dress –Which country club to belong to –Points of view (political) Important positions filled with white males Women filled secretarial positions Minorities shut out

16. clip

17. How did the automobile affect American society in the 1950s? National Highway Act 1956 –40,000 miles of federal highways 58 million cars sold in the 1950s! Drive-in economy, food, entertainment People commuted greater distances to work. Suburbs grew –Farmland sold for development –Urban flight Gas consumption increased

18. Cars

19. McDonald’s Presentation

20. How and why did housing patterns change during the 1950s? 20% of population moved –Many to the West 85% constructed in suburbia Population –In suburbs= +50% –In Cities= +10% Why? –Escape crime, congestion Promise of fresh air, trees More open, country-feeling –Prejudice against minorities –Automobile/highways allowed for easy travel –Affordable (GI Bill)

21. Describe Levittown.

22. Returning GI s & families created huge demand for housing A ‘planned’ community Levittown (outskirts of Long Island) –Massed produced houses –All prefabricated –Trees planted every 28 ft. –Included parks, playgrounds, churches, etc. –Affordable ($8-10 thousand) To White Americans it was symbol of the American Dream

24. Why is Levittown a symbol of the American Dream and of the racism of the 1950s? Levittown had population of 65 thousand –Not one was a minority Minorities were excluded from middle- class neighborhoods. Violent reaction to first black family in Levittown in 1957

25. Little Houses Presentation

26. What were some other criticisms of ‘planned’ communities? “cookie-cutter” houses All the same, conformity –“Little Boxes” –Malvina Renolds’ poem –Popularized by Pete Seeger Socialist folksinger Reflected that lack of individuality 50s society promoted Lack of privacy, individuality

27. What were some other effects of the ‘planned’ community? New sense of community “Welcome Wagon” –Gave newcomers gifts, information Religious revival –Church attendance increased –Ben Hur, Ten Commandments popular movies –Under God added to pledge (1954) Hand over heart replaced Bellamy salute after WWII –In God we trust added to currency (1957) Replaced E Pluribus Unum Students pledging to the flag with the Bellamy salute circa 1941

28. Baby Boom Presentation

29. What was the Baby Boom and how did it impact the US? Drastic increase in population + 30 million during 50s Bigger homes, schools, colleges Child-centered society More school activities –Girl Scouts, Little Leagues –TV geared for kids Lone Ranger, Superman, Mouseketeers Mr. Reilly after 2:25 PM

30. Jonas Salk Presentation American medical researcher and virologist Developed of the first safe and effective polio vaccine Received no profit –“Can you patent the sun?” "Apart from the atomic bomb, America's greatest fear was polio."

31. Dr. Spock Presentation American pediatrician Baby and Child Care (1946) Revolutionized child-care Previous experts were Behaviorists –Told parents not to pick up, kiss, comfort baby They need to learn to deal with harsh world Spock said each baby is a unique individual –They’re all different –Parents to be more flexible and affectionate with their children

32. Describe the role of women in the 1950s and how it was challenged. Encouraged to be stay-at-home mothers Taught (in HS) that men are not interested in educated women TV shows –Leave it to Beaver –Father Knows Best Betty Friedan –Conducted survey at 15 year college reunion –Found many classmates unhappy as stay-at-home moms –The Feminine Mystique Asked Is this all? “problem with no name” Sparked women’s movement of 60s-80s

33. The Good Housewife The following is excerpted from an actual 1950's high school Home Economics textbook: HAVE DINNER READY: –Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal--on time. This is a way to let him know that you have been thinking about him and are concerned with his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home, and having a good meal ready is part of the warm welcome that is needed. PREPARE YOURSELF: – Take fifteen minutes to rest so that you will be refreshed when he arrives. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people. Be a little gay and a little more interesting. His boring day may need a lift. Greet him with a smile. CLEAR AWAY THE CLUTTER: – Make one last trip though the main part of the house just before your husband arrives, gathering up children's books and toys, papers, etc. Then run a dust cloth over the tables. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you lift too. PREPARE THE CHILDREN: – If they are small, wash their hands and faces and comb their hair. They are his little treasures and he would like to see them playing the part.

34. MINIMIZE ALL NOISE: – At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise from the washer, dryer, or vacuum. Encourage the children to be quiet. SOME "DO NOT'S": – Don't greet him with problems and complaints. Don't complain if he is late for dinner. Count this as a minor problem compared to what he might have gone through that day. MAKE HIM COMFORTABLE: – Have a cool or warm drink ready for him. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or suggest that he lie down in the bedroom. Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soothing voice. Allow him to relax and unwind. LISTEN TO HIM: –You may have a dozen things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first. MAKE THE EVENING HIS: –Never complain if he doesn't take you to dinner or to other entertainment. Instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure and his need to unwind and relax. THE GOAL: –TO MAKE YOUR HOME A PLACE OF PEACE AND ORDER WHERE YOUR HUSBAND CAN RELAX IN BODY AND SPIRIT.

35. Women’s Place

36. Elvis Presentation Cultural icon of 1950s & symbol of Youth rebellion referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll“ Revolutionized pop music & showmanshipshowmanship Combined gospel and blues music to help form Rock and Roll